Bellator Fighting Championships 47 brought the organization one step closer to the conclusion of this season’s featherweight tournament. At the end of the night the finalists were set, as Marlon Sandro and Pat Curran staked their claim to spots in the championship fight.
The former Sengoku Raiden featherweight champion secured a unanimous decision victory by defeating Nazareno Malegarie in the evening’s co-main event. Sandro earned three 30-27 scorecards to win by unanimous decision.
Improving to 19-2, Sandro continued to impress in his second fight on North American soil. Sandro put on a striking clinic as he was able to dominate the battle on the feet, landing a variety of combinations that left Malegarie off balance. Malegarie was unable to take the fight to the ground, and the resulting punishment was too much for him to find an answer. With this defeat, Malegarie dropped to a 20-2 record.
Pat Curran also looked extremely solid in his victory over Ronnie Mann. Curran pushed the pace of the fight and held Mann at bay throughout the battle. Curran dictated the pace of the fight, using movement and counter striking to work Mann over throughout the fight. Mann offered some glimmers of offense, such as guillotine choke attempt in the second round, and taking Curran’s back at the end of the third round. However, in both attempts he ran out of time when the round came to an end. Curran was successful in neutralizing Mann’s grappling ability en route to a unanimous decision win. Score cards were 30-27 twice, and a 29-28.
Preliminary reports have the Sandro-Curran final set for August 20th at a yet to be announced Bellator event. They are competing for a chance to face the current Bellator Featherweight Champion, Joe Warren.
Coming into this event Sandro was my pick to win this tournament, and I believe he will come out on top in the final matchup. Curran is a counterpuncher whose success comes from being more technically sound than his opponent. However, Sandro has the striking abilities to slow Curran and leave him unable to effectively return offense. When this fight hits the ground Curran will have a slight advantage, but Sandro will be able to defend and hold position on the mat. This fight should end with a Sandro split decision victory.
The Bellator featherweight tournament has brought some interesting mixed martial arts action to the summer. With the final between Pat Curran and Marlon Sandro set, I’m looking forward to an action-packed final.
